Log splitter recall notices: MTD log splitters with a control handle that may not return to neutral, December 2009
What the CPSC, Health Canada and the maker's own recall sheet say about the December 10, 2009 recall of MTD log splitters sold under six brand names: models, build dates, units, reports and remedy.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 9, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page sets side by side what the official records say about one recall: hydraulic log splitters built by MTD Products Inc. and sold under the MTD, MTD Gold, Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines, Cub Cadet and Craftsman names, announced jointly by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada on December 10, 2009. It uses the CPSC recall record from its web service, the Health Canada notice and the inspection sheet the maker published for the recall. The wider list is in the guide to chipper, log splitter and pole saw recalls. The notices linked below are the record.
The fault as the notices describe it
The CPSC and Health Canada name the same fault. The control handle on the control valve may not return by itself to the neutral position when the operator lets go, and so may not stop the splitting wedge from moving forward. The CPSC calls this a risk of amputation to the hands and fingers. Health Canada says the wedge could creep or move forward and calls it a laceration risk to the hands or fingers. The CPSC lists the incidents and injuries as none reported, and Health Canada says that neither it, MTD nor the CPSC had received any reports of incidents or injuries.
Products sold in the United States
The CPSC says the splitters were sold in red, black and yellow in 21, 25, 27 and 33 ton models, built from November 2008 through October 2009, and that only models with certain serial numbers are included. The model number is on the frame near the engine. The CPSC list, with where each model was sold, runs as follows.
| Brand | Model numbers in the CPSC list | Sold in |
|---|---|---|
| MTD Gold | 24BF510B004, 24BF510E204, 24BF570L004, 24BF570F204 | Hardware stores |
| Troy-Bilt | 24BF572B766, 24AD597D766 | Hardware stores and independent dealers |
| Troy-Bilt | 24BF572B711, 24AD597D711 | Lowe's |
| Yard Machines | 24BF552B729 | Home Depot |
| Yard Machines | 24BF550B029 | Home Depot and Walmart |
| Cub Cadet | 24BF572B756 | Home Depot |
| Cub Cadet | 24BF572B710, 24AD598A010 | Independent dealers |
| MTD | 24BF550M006 | Walmart and Menards |
| Craftsman | 247.77640, 247.77641 | Sears |
The CPSC gives the units as about 26,000 in the United States and 2,100 in Canada, and names the manufacturer as MTD Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio. Country of manufacture: the United States.
Products sold in Canada
Health Canada's notice, identification number RA-500002159, lists three model numbers: the Yard Machines 8 ton unit 24AA5DMK500, the Yard Machines 21 ton unit 24BH510B500 and the Troy-Bilt 27 ton unit 24BF572B766. It says the model label sits on the top rear corner of the frame on the 8 ton unit and on the support mount below the engine on the 21 ton and 27 ton units. It says about 2,100 units were shipped to Canada for sale at Canadian Tire, Lowe's, Sears and other independent retailers, between November 2008 and October 2009.
What the maker's sheet says about build dates
The maker's consumer inspection sheet, form number 769-05565, covers 8, 21, 25, 27 and 33 ton units fitted with a control valve it calls the Energy valve, and lists the affected model numbers by brand: Cub Cadet, MTD, MTD Gold, Sears Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines. For Craftsman it gives 24BF570L099 and 24BF570F299 as the maker's own numbers for 247.77640 and 247.77641. It says units built from November 1, 2008 through September 1, 2009 are affected, and that the second to fifth digits of the 11 digit serial number give the build date: a letter for the month, two digits for the day and one digit for the year. It says a valve without the name Energy on its end cap is not affected by the recall. The sheet carries the maker's own test procedure, which this page does not restate.
Remedy
The CPSC says consumers should stop using the recalled log splitters at once and contact MTD Products Inc. to find out whether their machine is included, to receive inspection instructions and to receive a free repair if needed. Health Canada says consumers should stop using the splitters at once and contact the maker for inspection instructions, and that a faulty control valve is replaced with a free valve installed at an appointment. The maker's sheet ends with the same instruction for a valve that fails its own test: stop using the splitter and call the maker for a free replacement valve.
To correct or remove an entry, write to the address at the foot of this page.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, recall record 10062 from the recalls web service, read October 9, 2026
- Health Canada, archived consumer product recall for log splitters, December 10, 2009, read October 9, 2026
- MTD Products through Troy-Bilt, consumer inspection procedures for log splitters with the Energy control valve, form 769-05565, read October 9, 2026
- MTD Products through Troy-Bilt, product recalls page listing the 2009 log splitter recall, read October 9, 2026